Oprah lawsuit over Colorado trail access dismissed

By: Associated Press

July 18, 2014Updated: July 18, 2014 at 9:08 am

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Oprah Winfrey, executive producer of "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," waves to photographers at the premiere of the film at AFI Fest 2009 in Los Angeles, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

TELLURIDE — A lawsuit accusing Oprah Winfrey of allegedly blocking access to hiking trails near her property above Telluride, Colorado, has been dismissed.

The Telluride Daily Planet reports (http://bit.ly/1zOSt98 ) that a judge dismissed the case from San Miguel County District Court, saying that it should have been filed in Mountain Village Municipal Court.

Seventh Judicial District Judge Steven Patrick said there was little case law to support claims by Charles D. Goodman, who owns property contiguous to a 66-acre parcel that Winfrey's Yellow Brick Road closed on in March.

In the lawsuit, Goodman claimed that Winfrey's company, the property's former owners and the town of Mountain Village made a secret deal to close access to the trails.

Winfrey reportedly plans to build a mansion and guest home on the property.